Multi-layer golf ball

ABSTRACT

Multi-layer golf balls having a relatively hard outer core surrounding a relatively soft, low compression inner core are provided. The inner core generally has a compression of less than 50 and the inner core and outer core generally have a combined dual core compression of 50 or greater. The outer core generally has a Shore C hardness of 80 or greater. A cover, which can be a single-, dual-, or multi-layer cover, is provided to surround the outer core. A moisture barrier layer is optionally provided between the outer core and the cover. The moisture vapor transmission rate of the moisture barrier layer is preferably less than the moisture vapor transmission rate of the cover.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/606,796, filed Oct. 27, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/767,070, filed Jun. 22, 2007 now abandoned,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/773,906, filed Feb. 6, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,656, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/341,574,filed Jan. 13, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,852,044, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/002,641,filed Nov. 28, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,677, the entire disclosuresof which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to golf balls, and moreparticularly to golf balls having dual- and multi-layered cores having arelatively soft, low compression inner core surrounded by at least onerelatively rigid outer core.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf balls have conventionally been constructed as either two pieceballs or three piece balls. The choice of construction between two andthree piece affects the playing characteristics of the golf balls. Thedifferences in playing characteristics resulting from these differenttypes of constructions can be quite significant.

Three piece golf balls, which are also known as wound balls, aretypically constructed from a liquid or solid center surrounded bytensioned elastomeric material. Wound balls are generally thought of asperformance golf balls and have good resiliency, spin characteristicsand feel when struck by a golf club. However, wound balls are generallydifficult to manufacture when compared to solid golf balls.

Two piece balls, which are also known as solid core golf balls, includea single, solid core and a cover surrounding the core. The single solidcore is typically constructed of a crosslinked rubber, which is encasedby a cover material. For example, the solid core can be made ofpolybutadiene which is chemically crosslinked with zinc diacrylate orother comparable crosslinking agents. The cover protects the solid coreand is typically a tough, cut-proof material such as SURLYN®, an ionomerresin commercially available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.This combination of solid core and cover materials provides a golf ballthat is virtually indestructible by golfers. Materials used in these twopiece golf balls may have a flexural modulus of greater than about40,000 psi. In addition, this combination of solid core and coverproduces a golf ball having a high initial velocity, which results inimproved distance. Therefore, two piece golf balls are popular withrecreational golfers because these balls provide high durability andmaximum distance.

The stiffness and rigidity that provide the durability and improveddistance, however, also produce a relatively low spin rate in these twopiece golf balls. Low spin rates make golf balls difficult to control,especially on shorter shots such as approach shots to greens. Higherspin rates, although allowing a more skilled player to maximize controlof the golf ball on the short approach shots, adversely affect drivingdistance for less skilled players. For example, slicing and hooking theball are constant obstacles for the lower skill level players. Slicingand hooking result when an unintentional side spin is imparted on theball as a result of not striking the ball squarely with the face of thegolf club. In addition to limiting the distance that the golf ball willtravel, unintentional side spin reduces a player's control over theball. Lowering the spin rate of the golf ball reduces the adverseeffects of unintentional side spin. Hence, recreational playerstypically prefer golf balls that exhibit low spin rate.

Various approaches have been taken to strike a balance between the spinrate and the playing characteristics of golf balls. For example,additional layers, such as intermediate core and cover layers are addedto the solid core golf balls in an attempt to improve the playingcharacteristics of the ball. These multi-layer solid core balls includemulti-layer core constructions, multi-layer cover constructions andcombinations thereof. In a golf ball with a multi-layer core, theprincipal source of resiliency is the multi-layer core. In a golf ballwith a multi-layer cover and single-layer core, the principal source ofresiliency is the single-layer core.

In addition, varying the materials, density or specific gravity amongthe multiple layers of the golf ball controls the spin rate. In general,the total weight of a golf ball has to conform to weight limits set bythe United States Golf Association (“USGA”). Although the total weightof the golf ball is controlled, the distribution of weight within theball can vary. Redistributing the weight or mass of the golf ball eithertoward the center of the ball or toward the outer surface of the ballchanges the dynamic characteristics of the ball at impact and in flight.Specifically, if the density is shifted or redistributed toward thecenter of the ball, the moment of inertia of the golf ball is reduced,and the initial spin rate of the ball as it leaves the golf clubincreases as a result of the higher resistance from the golf ball'smoment of inertia. Conversely, if the density is shifted orredistributed toward the outer surface of the ball, the moment ofinertia is increased, and the initial spin rate of the ball as it leavesthe golf club would decrease as a result of the higher resistance fromthe golf ball's moment of inertia.

The redistribution of weight within the golf ball is typicallyaccomplished by adding fillers to one or more of the core or coverlayers of the golf ball. Conventional fillers include high specificgravity fillers, such as metal or metal alloy powders, metal oxide,metal searates, particulates, and carbonaceous materials and lowspecific gravity fillers, such as hollow spheres, microspheres andfoamed particles. However, the addition of fillers may adverselyinterfere with the resiliency of the polymers used in golf balls andthereby the coefficient of restitution of the golf balls.

There remains a need in the industry for golf balls having a desirablespin profile. The present invention provides such golf balls through theuse of novel golf ball designs which include dual- and multi-layer coresand relatively soft covers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a golf ball comprisingan inner core layer, a first outer core layer, a second outer corelayer, an inner cover layer, and an outer cover layer, wherein thedifference between the hardness of the second outer core layer and thecenter hardness of the inner core layer is from 20 Shore C units to 45Shore C units. The inner core layer has a compression of less than 50, adiameter of 1.00 inch or greater, a center hardness of from 40 Shore Cto 75 Shore C, a surface hardness of from 45 Shore C to 78 Shore C, anda specific gravity of 1.11 or greater. The first outer core layer has athickness of from 0.01 inches to 0.1 inches. The second outer core layerhas a thickness of from 0.01 inches to 0.1 inches, a hardness of 80Shore C or greater, and a specific gravity less than or equal to thespecific gravity of the inner core layer. The inner cover layer isformed from a partially or fully neutralized ionomer composition and hasa thickness of from 0.015 inches to 0.100 inches. The outer cover layeris formed from a composition selected from polyurethanes, polyureas, andblends and copolymers thereof, and has a thickness of from 0.010 inchesto 0.080 inches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing which forms a part of the specification andis to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like referencenumerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional representation of a golf ball formed inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional representation of a golf ball formed inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2 shows a golf ball 10 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention, including an inner core layer A, a first outer core layer B,a second outer core layer C, an inner cover layer D, and an outer coverlayer E.

The present invention is directed to an improved golf ball displayingthe desired spin profile and having a generally rigid, thermosetpolybutadiene outer core surrounding a relatively soft, low compressioninner core. Preferably, this golf ball has an inner core having acompression of less than about 50 and at least one outer core layersurrounding the inner core and having a Shore C hardness of 80 orgreater and a specific gravity of 1.1 or greater. The inner core has ahardness less than the hardness of the outer core. In a particularembodiment, the inner core has a specific gravity less than or equal tothe outer core specific gravity. In a particular aspect of thisembodiment, the inner core has a specific gravity of less than 1.13, orless than 1.1, or a specific gravity of from 0.90 to 1.13 or from 1.00to 1.10; and the outer core has a specific gravity of 1.11 or greater,or 1.13 or greater, or greater than 1.25, or a specific gravity of from1.11 to 5.00 or from 1.24 to 2.00. In another particular embodiment, theinner core has a specific gravity greater than or equal to the outercore specific gravity. In a particular aspect of this embodiment, theinner core preferably has a specific gravity of ≧1.20, or >1.20, or≧1.50, or >1.50, or ≧1.75, or >1.75, or ≧2.00, or >2.00, or ≧5.00,or >5.00, and the outer core has a specific gravity of ≦1.2, or <1.2, or≦1.15, or <1.15, or ≦1.05, or <1.05.

The inner core includes a polybutadiene rubber, zinc diacrylate (“ZDA”),an organic peroxide and zinc oxide. In one embodiment, the inner core ismade from about 100 pph of the polybutadiene rubber, about 34 pph of thezinc diacrylate, about 0.53 pph of the organic peroxide and a sufficientamount of the zinc oxide to produce the inner core specific gravity. Theouter core includes a polybutadiene rubber, a stiffening agent, zincdiacrylate, an organic peroxide, zinc oxide and barytes filler, and inone embodiment is made from about 100 pph of the polybutadiene rubber,about 8 pph of the stiffening agent, about 0.66 pph of the organicperoxide, about 5 pph of the zinc oxide and about 35 pph of the zincdiacrylate. Suitable stiffening agents include balata and transpolyisoprene. (Include formulations from Inv Rec?)

Overall the inner core and outer core are formulated to provide acombined overall core compression of greater than about 50, or greaterthan about 70. In a particular embodiment, the inner core and outer corehave a combined dual core compression of from about 50 to about 80, orfrom about 60 to about 80, or a compression of about 72. In anotherparticular embodiment, the inner core and outer core have a combineddual core compression of from about 70 to about 100, or from about 75 toabout 95, or a compression of about 85. In yet another particularembodiment, the inner core and outer core have a combined dual corecompression of from about 80 to about 100.

In one embodiment, the inner core has a diameter of from about 1.4inches to about 1.5 inches, the outer core has a thickness of from about0.05 inches up to about 0.1 inches, and the inner core and outer corehave a combined overall core diameter of greater than about 1.58 inches,preferably greater than about 1.60 inches. In another embodiment, theinner core has a diameter within a range having a lower limit of about0.50 or about 0.70 or about 0.80 or about 0.90 or about 1.00 inches andan upper limit of about 1.10 or about 1.20 or about 1.25 or about 1.30inches, or the inner core has a diameter of about 1.00 inches; the outercore has a thickness within a range having a lower limit of about 0.10or about 0.20 or about 0.27 inches and an upper limit of about 0.29 orabout 0.30 or about 0.35 or about 0.40 or about 0.57 inches; and theinner core and outer core have a combined overall core diameter of fromabout 1.50 inches to about 1.60 inches, preferably from about 1.54inches to about 1.59 inches, more preferably from about 1.55 inches toabout 1.58 inches, and even more preferably about 1.55 inches or about1.58 inches.

A cover having one or more layers is provided to surround and to coverthe outer core layer. The cover generally has an overall thickness ofabout 0.02 inches or greater and is preferably constructed of polyurea,polyurethane, or an ionomeric composition.

The golf ball can also include a moisture barrier layer disposed betweenthe outer core layer and the cover layer. The moisture vapor barrierprotects the inner and outer cores from degradation due to exposure tomoisture, for example water, and extends the usable life of the golfball. The moisture vapor transmission rate of the moisture barrier layeris selected to be less than the moisture vapor transmission rate of thecover layer. The moisture barrier layer has a specific gravity of fromabout 1.1 to about 1.2 and a thickness of less than about 0.03 inches.Suitable materials for the moisture barrier layer include a combinationof a styrene block copolymer and a flaked metal, for example aluminumflake.

Referring now to FIG. 1, golf ball 10 in accordance with the presentinvention is constructed to provide the desired spin profile and playingcharacteristics. In an embodiment as illustrated, golf ball 10 includescore 16 and cover layer 15 surrounding core 16. In one embodiment, thediameter of core 16 is greater than about 1.58 inches. In anotherembodiment, the diameter of core 16 is greater than about 1.6 inches. Inanother embodiment, the diameter of core 16 is from about 1.53 inches toabout 1.60 inches, or from about 1.54 inches to about 1.59 inches. Inanother embodiment, the diameter of core 16 is about 1.55 inches. In yetanother embodiment, the diameter of core 16 is about 1.58 inches.

The compression of core 16 is generally about 50 or greater. In oneembodiment, the overall compression of core 16 is greater than about 50,or greater than about 70. In another embodiment, the overall compressionof core 16 is from about 80 to about 100. In another embodiment, theoverall compression of core 16 is from about 60 to about 80, or fromabout 50 to about 80. In another embodiment, the overall compression ofcore 16 is about 72. In another embodiment, the overall compression ofcore 16 is from about 70 to about 100, or from about 75 to about 95. Inyet another embodiment, the overall compression of core 16 is about 85.

As used herein, compression is measured by applying a spring-loadedforce to the golf ball or golf ball component to be examined with amanual instrument (an “Atti gauge”) manufactured by the Atti EngineeringCompany of Union City, N.J. This machine, equipped with a Federal DialGauge, Model D81-C, employs a calibrated spring under a known load. Thesphere to be tested is forced a distance of 0.2 inch against thisspring. If the spring, in turn, compresses 0.2 inch, the compression israted at 100. If the spring compresses 0.1 inch, the compression valueis rated as 0. Thus more compressible, softer materials will have lowerAtti gauge values than harder, less compressible materials. Compressionmeasured with this instrument is also referred to as PGA compression.

Core 16 includes inner core 11 and at least one outer core layer 13surrounding inner core 11. Although illustrated as a dual layer corehaving a single outer core layer 13, other embodiments in accordancewith the present invention can have two, three or more outer corelayers. In one embodiment, an additional core layer (not shown) isprovided surrounding outer core 13. This additional core layer can havea thickness of from about 0.005 inches to about 0.01 inches. In oneembodiment, the specific gravity of the additional core layer is greaterthan about 5.

In general, inner core 11 is constructed as a relatively soft, lowcompression core. In one embodiment, inner core 11 includes a baserubber, a cross linking agent, an initiator and a filler. The baserubber typically includes natural or synthetic rubbers. A preferred baserubber is a polybutadiene rubber. Examples of suitable polybutadienerubbers include BUNA® CB22 and BUNA® CB23, commercially available fromBayer of Akron, Ohio; UBEPOL® 360L and UBEPOL® 150L, commerciallyavailable from UBE Industries of Tokyo, Japan; CARIFLEX® BCP820 andCARIFLEX® BCP824, commercially available from Shell of Houston, Tex. andBR 1200, commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company ofMidland, Mich. If desired, the polybutadiene can also be mixed with oneor more additional elastomers that are known in the art such as naturalrubber, polyisoprene rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber in order tomodify the properties of inner core 11. In one embodiment, the baserubber is present in an amount of about 100 parts per hundred (“pph”).

Suitable cross linking agents include metal salts, such as a zinc saltor a magnesium unsaturated fatty acid, such as acrylic or methacrylicacid, having 3 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples include, but are not limitedto, metal salt diacrylates, dimethacrylates, and monomethacrylates,wherein the metal is magnesium, calcium, zinc, aluminum, sodium,lithium, or nickel. Suitable acrylates include zinc acrylate, zincdiacrylate, zinc methacrylate, zinc dimethacrylate, and mixturesthereof. Preferably, the cross linking agent is zinc diacrylate. In oneembodiment, the zinc diacrylate is provided as zinc diacrylate pelletshaving an 80% zinc diacrylate content. The cross linking agent istypically present in an amount greater than about 10 pph of the baserubber, preferably from about 15 to about 40 pph of the base rubber,more preferably from about 20 to about 35 pph of the base rubber. In oneembodiment, the cross linking agent is present in an amount greater thanabout 25 pph. In another embodiment, the cross linking agent is presentin an amount of about 34 pph.

The initiator agent can be any known polymerization initiator thatdecomposes during the cure cycle. Suitable initiators include organicperoxide compounds, for example dicumyl peroxide; 1,1-di(t-butylperoxy)3,3,5-trimethyl cyclohexane; α,α-bis(t-butylperoxy) diisopropylbenzene;2,5-dimethyl-2,5 di(t-butylperoxy) hexane; di-t-butyl peroxide; andmixtures thereof. Other examples include, but are not limited to, VAROX®231XL and Varox® DCP-R, commercially available from Elf Atochem ofPhiladelphia, Pa.; PERKODOX® BC and PERKODOX® 14, commercially availablefrom Akzo Nobel of Chicago, Ill.; and ELASTOCHEM® DCP-70, commerciallyavailable from Rhein Chemie of Trenton, N.J. A preferred organicperoxide initiator is Trigonox®, commercially available from Akzo NobelPolymer Chemicals by of Amersfoort, Netherlands. Suitable initiatorlevels include initial concentrations of from about 0.1 to about 3.0pph, preferably from about 0.2 to about 2.0 pph, and more preferablyfrom about 0.3 to about 1.5 pph. In one embodiment, the initiator ispresent in an amount of greater than 0.5 pph. In another embodiment, theinitiator level is about 0.53 pph.

Fillers added to one or more portions of the golf ball typically includeprocessing aids or compounds to affect rheological and mixingproperties, density-modifying fillers, tear strength modifiers,reinforcement fillers, and the like. The fillers are generallyinorganic, and suitable fillers include numerous metals or metal oxides,such as zinc oxide and tin oxide, as well as barium sulfate, barytes,zinc sulfate, calcium carbonate, barium carbonate, clay, tungsten,tungsten carbide, an array of silicas, and mixtures thereof. Fillers mayalso include various foaming agents or blowing agents that may bereadily selected by one of ordinary skill in the art. Fillers caninclude polymeric, ceramic, metal, and glass microspheres and can besolid or hollow, and filled or unfilled. Fillers are typically alsoadded to one or more portions of the golf ball to modify the densitythereof to conform to uniform golf ball standards. Preferably, innercore 11 contains zinc oxide as the filler. The filler is present in anamount sufficient to produce the desired specific gravity in inner core11. In one embodiment, inner core 11 can include unfilled or foameddensity reducing material to reduce the specific gravity of the innercore 11, increasing the moment of inertia of golf ball 10. In anotherembodiment, inner core 11 can include a specific gravity increasingfiller, fiber, flake or particulate to increase the specific gravity ofthe inner core 11, decreasing the moment of inertia of golf ball 10.

The constituents and constituent concentrations of inner core 11 areselected to produce the desired physical characteristics. Inner core 11is selected to have a compression of less than about 70, or less thanabout 65, or less than about 50, or about 50 or less, or about 40 orless, or about 30 or less, or about 25 or less, or about 20 or less, orabout 15 or less, or about 10 or less, or the compression is about 10 orabout 20.

The hardness of inner core 11 is selected to be less than the hardnessof outer core 13. In one embodiment, the hardness of inner core 11 isfrom about 70 to about 80 Shore C. In another embodiment, the hardnessof inner core 11 is less than about 80 Shore C, for example about 78Shore C. In another embodiment, the Shore C hardness of inner core 11 is≦78, or <78, or ≦70, or <70, or ≦65, or <65, or ≦60, or <60, or theShore C hardness is within a range having a lower limit of about 50 orabout 55 and an upper limit of about 60 or about 63 or about 65. In yetanother embodiment, the Shore C hardness of inner core 11 is about 63.

In one embodiment, inner core 11 has a specific gravity of less thanabout 1.13, for example from about 1 to about 1.1 or about 1.05. Inanother embodiment, inner core 11 has a specific gravity of less thanabout 1.11. In another embodiment, inner core 11 has a specific gravityof from about 0.90 to about 1.13. In another embodiment, inner core 11has a specific gravity within a range having a lower limit of about 0.90or about 1.10 or about 1.11 and an upper limit of about 1.13 or about1.15 or about 1.16. In another embodiment, inner core 11 has a specificgravity of about 1.15. In yet another embodiment, inner core 11 has aspecific gravity of about 1.11.

In one embodiment, the coefficient of restitution of inner core 11 isfrom about 0.8 to about 0.825, preferably about 0.812. In anotherembodiment, the coefficient of restitution of inner core 11 is fromabout 0.740 to about 0.799. In another embodiment, the coefficient ofrestitution of inner core 11 is from about 0.750 to about 0.780. In yetanother embodiment, the coefficient of restitution of inner core 11 isabout 0.745 or about 0.775. As used herein, the term “coefficient ofrestitution” (“COR”) for golf balls is defined as the ratio of therebound velocity to the inbound velocity when balls are fired into arigid plate. A discussion of COR and suitable test methods for measuringCOR can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,677 B2, which isincorporated herein by reference. In one embodiment, inner core 11 isconstructed to have a diameter of at least about 1 inch, or a diameterof from about 1.4 inches to about 1.5 inches. In another one embodiment,the diameter of inner core 11 is about 1.457 inches. In anotherembodiment, the diameter of inner core 11 is about 1.00 inches, or iswithin a range having a lower limit of about 0.50 or about 0.70 or about0.80 or about 0.90 or about 1.00 inches and an upper limit of about 1.10or about 1.20 or about 1.25 or about 1.30 inches.

In an alternative embodiment, inner core 11 is a liquid or hollow core.

Outer core 13 surrounds inner core 11 and is constructed to be morerigid than inner core 11. In one embodiment, outer core 13 includes abase rubber, a cross linking agent, an initiator, one or more fillersand, alternatively, a stiffening agent. Suitable base rubbers, crosslinking agents, initiators and fillers are the same as those for innercore 11. In one embodiment the base rubber is a thermoset polybutadiene.The base rubber is present in an amount of about 100 pph. Zincdiacrylate is a preferred cross linking agent. In one embodiment, thecross linking agent is present in an amount of greater than 35 pph. Inanother embodiment, the amount of cross linking agent is greater thanabout 40 pph. In yet another embodiment, the cross linking agent ispresent in an amount of about 53 pph. Preferably, the initiator is anorganic peroxide. In one embodiment, the organic peroxide is present inan amount greater than about 0.6 pph. In another embodiment, the organicperoxide is present in an amount of about 0.66 pph. A preferred filleris zinc oxide. In another embodiment, the filler also includes barytes.Fillers are added in an amount sufficient to impart the desired weightand physical characteristics, for example specific gravity, to outercore 13. In one embodiment, the filler can be present in an amount ofabout 5 pph.

Suitable stiffening agents to be used in outer core 13 include balataand trans polyisoprene. Preferably, the stiffening agent is balata.These stiffening agents are commercially available under the tradenamesTP251 and TP301. The stiffening agents are added to outer core 13 in anamount of from about 5 pph to about 10 pph. In one embodiment, thestiffening agent is present in an amount of about 8 pph.

As with inner core 11, the constituents and constituent concentrationsof outer core 13 are selected to produce the desired physicalcharacteristics. In one embodiment, outer core 13 has a compression ofabout 90. In another embodiment the compressions of the inner and outercores are selected to provide a combined dual core compression ofgreater than about 50, or greater than about 70. In another embodiment,the inner and outer cores are selected to provide a combined dual corecompression of from about 80 up to about 100. In another embodiment,inner core 11 and outer core 13 have a combined dual core compression offrom about 60 to about 80, or from about 50 to about 80. In anotherembodiment, inner core 11 and outer core 13 have a combined dual corecompression of about 72. In another embodiment, inner core 11 and outercore 13 have a combined dual core compression of from about 70 to about100, or from about 75 to about 95. In yet another embodiment, inner core11 and outer core 13 have a combined dual core compression of about 85.

The hardness of outer core 13 is generally selected to be greater thanor equal to about 80 Shore C. In one embodiment, the hardness is greaterthan or equal to about 90 Shore C. In another embodiment, outer core 13has a Shore C hardness of about 85 or greater. In another embodiment,outer core 13 has a Shore C hardness of about 80 or greater. In anotherembodiment, outer core 13 has a Shore C hardness of about 85. In yetanother embodiment, outer core 13 has a Shore C hardness of about 89.

In one embodiment, the flex modulus (per ASTM D-790) of outer core 13 isgreater than about 30,000 psi.

In one embodiment, outer core 13 has a specific gravity that is greaterthan or equal to the specific gravity of inner core 11. In anotherembodiment, outer core 13 has a specific gravity that is less than orequal to the specific gravity of inner core 11. In another embodiment,the specific gravity of outer core 13 is about 1.10 or greater. Inanother embodiment, the specific gravity of outer core 13 is about 1.11or greater. In another embodiment, the specific gravity of outer core 13is about 1.13 or greater. In another embodiment, the specific gravity ofouter core 13 is about 1.24. In another embodiment, the specific gravityof outer core 13 is greater than about 1.25. In another embodiment, thespecific gravity of outer core 13 is from about 1.11 to about 5.00. Inanother embodiment, the specific gravity of outer core 13 is from about1.24 to about 2.00. In yet another embodiment, the specific gravity ofouter core 13 is about 1.14. Having the specific gravity of outer core13 greater than the specific gravity of inner core 11 increases themoment of inertia and lowers the spin rate of golf ball 10. Having thespecific gravity of outer core 13 less than the specific gravity ofinner core 11 decreases the moment of inertia and raises the spin rateof golf ball 10.

In one embodiment, the coefficient of restitution of outer core 13 isabout 0.824. In another embodiment, the coefficient of restitution ofthe inner and outer core are selected to produce a combined dual corecoefficient of restitution of from about 0.805 to about 0.83. In anotherembodiment, the coefficient of restitution of the inner and outer coreare selected to produce a combined dual core coefficient of restitutionwithin a range having a lower limit of about 0.785 or about 0.790 and anupper limit of about 0.795 or about 0.800 or about 0.805 or about 0.810.

Outer core 13 generally has a thickness of from about 0.05 inches toabout 0.6 inches. In one embodiment, outer core 13 has a thickness offrom about 0.05 inches up to about 0.1 inches. In another embodiment,outer core 13 has a thickness of about 0.075 inches. In anotherembodiment, outer core 13 has a thickness of from about 0.20 inches toabout 0.57 inches, or from about 0.20 inches to about 0.35 inches. Inanother embodiment, outer core 13 has a thickness within a range havinga lower limit of about 0.05 or about 0.10 or about 0.20 or about 0.25 orabout 0.27 inches and an upper limit of about 0.29 or about 0.30 orabout 0.35 or about 0.40 or about 0.57 inches. In yet anotherembodiment, outer core 13 has a thickness of about 0.275 inches or about0.290 inches.

In general, the diameter of inner core 11 and thickness of outer core 13are selected to produce a diameter for core 16 that is about 1.00 inchor greater. In one embodiment, the diameter of core 16 is greater thanabout 1.58 inches, preferably greater than about 1.6 inches. In anotherembodiment, the diameter of core 16 is within a range having a lowerlimit of about 1.00 or about 1.10 or about 1.30 or about 1.50 or about1.53 or about 1.54 or about 1.55 inches and an upper limit of about 1.58or about 1.59 or about 1.60 inches. In another embodiment, the diameterof core 16 is about 1.55 inches. In yet another embodiment, the diameterof core 16 is about 1.58 inches.

When golf ball 10 includes multiple outer core layers, each outer corelayer can include the same materials as disclosed above for the innercore 11 and outer core 13, or different compositions. In one embodiment,at least one outer core layer is substantially stiffer and harder thaninner core 11. In one embodiment, each one of the outer cores has athickness of from about 0.001 inches to about 0.1 inches, preferablyfrom about 0.01 inches to about 0.05 inches.

Cover layer 15 surrounds outer core 13. Cover layer 15 can include anymaterials known to those of ordinary skill in the art, includingthermoplastic and thermosetting materials, but preferably the coverlayer can include any suitable materials, such as:

-   -   (1) Polyurethanes, such as those prepared from polyols and        diisocyanates or polyisocyanates and those disclosed in U.S.        Pat. Nos. 5,334,673, 6,506,851, 6,867,279, and 6,960,630, the        entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by        reference;    -   (2) Polyureas, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.        5,484,870 and 6,835,794, and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.        60/401,047, the entire disclosures of which are hereby        incorporated herein by reference;    -   (3) Polyurethane-urea hybrids, blends or copolymers comprising        urethane or urea segments; and    -   (4) Ionomeric compositions, including partially and highly        neutralized polymer compositions, such as those disclosed in        U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,653,382, 6,756,436, 6,894,098, 6,919,393, and        6,953,820, the entire disclosures of which are hereby        incorporated herein by reference.

Polyurethane and polyurea outer cover layer materials can be thermosetor thermoplastic. Thermoset materials can be formed into golf balllayers by conventional casting or reaction injection molding techniques.Thermoplastic materials can be formed into golf ball layers byconventional compression or injection molding techniques. Light stable,castable polyureas and polyurethanes are preferred outer cover layermaterials.

In one embodiment, cover layer 15 includes a layer formed from acastable polyurethane or castable polyurea composition, wherein thelayer preferably has a Shore D hardness of from about 45 to about 60, ora Shore D hardness of about 65 or less, or a Shore D hardness of lessthan about 65, or a Shore D hardness of about 60 or less, or a Shore Dhardness of less than about 60, or a Shore D hardness of about 58, or aShore C hardness of about 83.

In another embodiment, cover layer 15 preferably includes a polyurethanecomposition comprising the reaction product of at least onepolyisocyanate and at least one curing agent. The curing agent caninclude, for example, one or more diamines, one or more polyols, or acombination thereof. The at least one polyisocyanate can be combinedwith one or more polyols to form a prepolymer, which is then combinedwith the at least one curing agent. Thus, when polyols are describedherein they may be suitable for use in one or both components of thepolyurethane material, i.e., as part of a prepolymer and in the curingagent. The polyurethane composition may be used in forming the innercover, outer cover, or both. In one preferred embodiment, the outercover includes the polyurethane composition.

In another embodiment, the curing agent includes a polyol curing agent.In a particular aspect of this embodiment, the polyol curing agentincludes ethylene glycol; diethylene glycol; polyethylene glycol;propylene glycol; polypropylene glycol; lower molecular weightpolytetramethylene ether glycol; 1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy) benzene;1,3-bis-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]benzene;1,3-bis-{2-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}benzene; 1,4-butanediol;1,5-pentanediol; 1,6-hexanediol; resorcinol-di-(β-hydroxyethyl) ether;hydroquinone-di-(β-hydroxyethyl) ether; trimethylol propane, or mixturesthereof.

In one embodiment, the polyurethane composition includes at least oneisocyanate and at least one curing agent. In another embodiment, thepolyurethane composition includes at least one isocyanate, at least onepolyol, and at least one curing agent. In a preferred embodiment, theisocyanate includes 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, polymeric4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, carbodiimide-modified liquid4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 4,4′-dicyclohexylmethanediisocyanate, p-phenylene diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate,isophoronediisocyanate, p-methylxylene diisocyanate, m-methylxylenediisocyanate, o-methylxylene diisocyanate, or a mixture thereof. Inanother preferred embodiment, the at least one polyol includes apolyether polyol, hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene, polyester polyol,polycaprolactone polyol, polycarbonate polyol, or mixtures thereof. Inyet another preferred embodiment, the curing agent includes a polyaminecuring agent, a polyol curing agent, or a mixture thereof. In a morepreferred embodiment, the curing agent includes a polyamine curingagent. In a most preferred embodiment, the polyamine curing agentincludes 3,5-dimethylthio-2,4-toluenediamine, or an isomer thereof;3,5-diethyltoluene-2,4-diamine, or an isomer thereof;4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-diphenylmethane;1,4-bis-(sec-butylamino)-benzene, 4,4′-methylene-bis-(2-chloroaniline);4,4′-methylene-bis-(3-chloro-2,6-diethylaniline); trimethyleneglycol-di-p-aminobenzoate; polytetramethyleneoxide-di-p-aminobenzoate;N,N′-dialkyldiamino diphenyl methane; p,p′-methylene dianiline;phenylenediamine; 4,4′-methylene-bis-(2-chloroaniline);4,4′-methylene-bis-(2,6-diethylaniline);4,4′-diamino-3,3′-diethyl-5,5′-dimethyl diphenylmethane;2,2′,3,3′-tetrachloro diamino diphenylmethane;4,4′-methylene-bis-(3-chloro-2,6-diethylaniline); or mixtures thereof.

Any polyisocyanate available to one of ordinary skill in the art issuitable for use according to the invention. Exemplary polyisocyanatesinclude, but are not limited to, 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate(“MDI”), polymeric MDI, carbodiimide-modified liquid MDI,4,4′-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (“H₁₂MDI”), p-phenylenediisocyanate (“PPDI”), toluene diisocyanate (“TDI”),3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-biphenylene diisocyanate (“TODI”),isophoronediisocyanate (“IPDI”), hexamethylene diisocyanate (“HDI”),naphthalene diisocyanate (“NDI”); xylene diisocyanate (“XDI”);para-tetramethylxylene diisocyanate (“p-TMXDI”); meta-tetramethylxylenediisocyanate (“m-TMXDI”); ethylene diisocyanate;propylene-1,2-diisocyanate; tetramethylene-1,4-diisocyanate; cyclohexyldiisocyanate; 1,6-hexamethylene-diisocyanate (“HDI”);dodecane-1,12-diisocyanate; cyclobutane-1,3-diisocyanate;cyclohexane-1,3-diisocyanate; cyclohexane-1,4-diisocyanate;1-isocyanato-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane; methylcyclohexylene diisocyanate; triisocyanate of HDI; triisocyanate of2,4,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexane diisocyanate (“TMDI”), tetracenediisocyanate, naphthalene diisocyanate, anthracene diisocyanate, andmixtures thereof. Polyisocyanates are known to those of ordinary skillin the art as having more than one isocyanate group, e.g., di-, tri-,and tetra-isocyanate. Preferably, the polyisocyanate includes MDI, PPDI,TDI, or a mixture thereof, and more preferably, the polyisocyanateincludes MDI. It should be understood that, as used herein, the term“MDI” includes 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, polymeric MDI,carbodiimide-modified liquid MDI, and mixtures thereof and,additionally, that the diisocyanate employed may be “low free monomer,”understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to have lower levels of“free” monomer isocyanate groups than conventional diisocyanates, i.e.,the compositions of the invention typically have less than about 0.1%free monomer groups. Examples of “low free monomer” diisocyanatesinclude, but are not limited to Low Free Monomer MDI, Low Free MonomerTDI, and Low Free Monomer PPDI.

The at least one polyisocyanate should have less than about 14%unreacted NCO groups. Preferably, the at least one polyisocyanate has nogreater than about 8.5% NCO, more preferably from about 2.5% to about8.0%, even more preferably from about 4.0% to about 7.2%, and mostpreferably from about 5.0% to about 6.5%.

Any polyol available to one of ordinary skill in the art is suitable foruse according to the invention. In one embodiment, the molecular weightof the polyol is from about 200 to about 6000. Exemplary polyolsinclude, but are not limited to, polyether polyols, hydroxy-terminatedpolybutadiene (including partially/fully hydrogenated derivatives),polyester polyols, polycaprolactone polyols, and polycarbonate polyols.Examples include, but are not limited to, polytetramethylene etherglycol (“PTMEG”), polyethylene propylene glycol, polyoxypropyleneglycol, and mixtures thereof. The hydrocarbon chain can have saturatedor unsaturated bonds and substituted or unsubstituted aromatic andcyclic groups. Preferably, the polyol of the present invention includesPTMEG.

In another embodiment, polyester polyols are included in thepolyurethane material of the invention. Suitable polyester polyolsinclude, but are not limited to, polyethylene adipate glycol,polybutylene adipate glycol, polyethylene propylene adipate glycol,ortho-phthalate-1,6-hexanediol, and mixtures thereof. The hydrocarbonchain can have saturated or unsaturated bonds, or substituted orunsubstituted aromatic and cyclic groups.

In another embodiment, polycaprolactone polyols are included in thematerials of the invention. Suitable polycaprolactone polyols include,but are not limited to, 1,6-hexanediol-initiated polycaprolactone,diethylene glycol initiated polycaprolactone, trimethylol propaneinitiated polycaprolactone, neopentyl glycol initiated polycaprolactone,1,4-butanediol-initiated polycaprolactone, and mixtures thereof. Thehydrocarbon chain can have saturated or unsaturated bonds, orsubstituted or unsubstituted aromatic and cyclic groups.

In yet another embodiment, the polycarbonate polyols are included in thepolyurethane material of the invention. Suitable polycarbonates include,but are not limited to, polyphthalate carbonate. The hydrocarbon chaincan have saturated or unsaturated bonds, or substituted or unsubstitutedaromatic and cyclic groups.

Polyamine curatives are also suitable for use in the curing agent of thepolyurethane composition of the invention and have been found to improvecut, shear, and impact resistance of the resultant balls. Preferredpolyamine curatives include, but are not limited to,3,5-dimethylthio-2,4-toluenediamine and isomers thereof;3,5-diethyltoluene-2,4-diamine and isomers thereof, such as3,5-diethyltoluene-2,6-diamine;4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-diphenylmethane;1,4-bis-(sec-butylamino)-benzene, 4,4′-methylene-bis-(2-chloroaniline);4,4′-methylene-bis-(3-chloro-2,6-diethylaniline);polytetramethyleneoxide-di-p-aminobenzoate; N,N′-dialkyldiamino diphenylmethane; p,p′-methylene dianiline (“MDA”); m-phenylenediamine (“MPDA”);4,4′-methylene-bis-(2-chloroaniline) (“MOCA”);4,4′-methylene-bis-(2,6-diethylaniline);4,4′-diamino-3,3′-diethyl-5,5′-dimethyl diphenylmethane;2,2′,3,3′-tetrachloro diamino diphenylmethane;4,4′-methylene-bis-(3-chloro-2,6-diethylaniline); trimethylene glycoldi-p-aminobenzoate; and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the curing agentof the present invention includes 3,5-dimethylthio-2,4-toluenediamineand isomers thereof, such as ETHACURE 300. Suitable polyamine curatives,which include both primary and secondary amines, preferably have weightaverage molecular weights ranging from about 64 to about 2000.

At least one of a diol, triol, tetraol, or hydroxy-terminated curativemay be added to the aforementioned polyurethane composition. Suitablediol, triol, and tetraol groups include ethylene glycol; diethyleneglycol; polyethylene glycol; propylene glycol; polypropylene glycol;lower molecular weight polytetramethylene ether glycol;1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy) benzene;1,3-bis-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]benzene;1,3-bis-{2-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}benzene; 1,4-butanediol;1,5-pentanediol; 1,6-hexanediol; resorcinol-di-(4-hydroxyethyl) ether;hydroquinone-di-(4-hydroxyethyl) ether; and mixtures thereof. Preferredhydroxy-terminated curatives include ethylene glycol; diethylene glycol;1,4-butanediol; 1,5-pentanediol; 1,6-hexanediol, trimethylol propane,and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the hydroxy-terminated curatives have molecular weightsranging from about 48 to 2000. It should be understood that molecularweight, as used herein, is the absolute weight average molecular weightand would be understood as such by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Both the hydroxy-terminated and amine curatives can include one or moresaturated, unsaturated, aromatic, and cyclic groups. Additionally, thehydroxy-terminated and amine curatives can include one or more halogengroups. The polyurethane composition can be formed with a blend ormixture of curing agents. If desired, however, the polyurethanecomposition may be formed with a single curing agent.

Any method known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be used tocombine the polyisocyanate, polyol, and curing agent of the presentinvention. One commonly employed method, known in the art as a one-shotmethod, involves concurrent mixing of the polyisocyanate, polyol, andcuring agent. This method results in a mixture that is inhomogeneous(more random) and affords the manufacturer less control over themolecular structure of the resultant composition. A preferred method ofmixing is known as a prepolymer method. In this method, thepolyisocyanate and the polyol are mixed separately prior to addition ofthe curing agent. This method affords a more homogeneous mixtureresulting in a more consistent polymer composition.

In some embodiments, cover layer 15 includes a layer formed from apartially or fully neutralized ionomer composition, wherein the layerpreferably has a Shore D hardness of 65 or less, or a Shore D hardnessof less than 65, or a Shore D hardness of from 50 to 65, or a Shore Dhardness of from 57 to 60, or a Shore D hardness of 58. Preferredionomers include, but are not limited to, those selected from copolymersof a C₃ to C₈ α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acidand ethylene or a C₃ to C₆ α-olefin, optionally including a softeningmonomer. The ionomer is optionally highly neutralized (i.e., at least70%, or at least 90%, or at least 100%, of the acid moieties thereof areneutralized). Suitable ionomeric cover materials are further disclosed,for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,653,382, 6,756,436, 6,894,098,6,919,393, and 6,953,820, the entire disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference. Commercially available ionomeric materialssuitable for use cover layers of the present invention include, but arenot limited to, Surlyn® ionomer resins and DuPont® HPF 1000 and HPF2000, commercially available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company;and Iotek® ionomers, commercially available from ExxonMobil ChemicalCompany. Also suitable are blends of ionomers with thermoplasticelastomers.

In one embodiment, the thickness of cover layer 15 is from about 0.03inches up to about 0.04 inches. In another embodiment, the thickness ofcover layer 15 is from about 0.02 inches to about 0.05 inches. Inanother embodiment, the thickness of cover layer 15 is within a rangehaving a lower limit of about 0.01 or about 0.02 inches and an upperlimit of about 0.100 or about 0.090 or about 0.055 or about 0.040inches. In yet another embodiment, the thickness of cover layer 15 isabout 0.035 inches.

In another embodiment, cover layer 15 has a thickness of from about 0.02inches to about 0.05 inches. In a particular aspect of this embodiment,cover layer 15 includes a layer formed from a castable polyurethane orcastable polyurea composition. In another particular aspect of thisembodiment, cover layer 15 includes a layer formed from a castablepolyurethane or castable polyurea composition and has a Shore D hardnessof less than about 65 or a Shore D hardness of less than about 60 or aShore D hardness of from about 45 to about 60. In another particularaspect of this embodiment, cover layer 15 includes a layer formed from apartially or fully neutralized ionomer composition. In yet anotherparticular aspect of this embodiment, cover layer 15 includes a layerformed from a partially or fully neutralized ionomer composition and hasa Shore D hardness of less than about 65 or a Shore D hardness of lessthan about 60 or a Shore D hardness within a range having a lower limitof about 50 or about 57 and an upper limit of about 60 or about 65.

Although illustrated as having a single cover layer, golf ball 10 canhave two or more cover layers to fine tune the spin and feel of golfball 10. Thus, in another embodiment, cover layer 15 comprises an innercover layer and an outer cover layer. In a particular aspect of thisembodiment, the inner cover layer is formed from a partially or fullyneutralized ionomer composition, and preferably has a thickness of fromabout 0.015 inches to about 0.100 inches or from about 0.20 inches toabout 0.50 inches, and more preferably has a thickness of about 0.035inches. The inner cover layer preferably has a Shore D hardness of fromabout 60 to about 80, more preferably from about 65 to about 75, andmost preferably from about 66 to about 69. In another particular aspectof this embodiment, the outer cover layer preferably has a Shore Dhardness of ≦65 or <65 or ≦60 or <60, is formed from a castablepolyurethane or polyurea composition, and preferably has a thickness offrom about 0.015 to about 0.040 inches, or a thickness of from about0.030 inches to about 0.040 inches, or a thickness of from about 0.20inches to about 0.35 inches.

In one embodiment, golf ball 10 also includes moisture barrier layer 14disposed between outer core 13 and cover layer 14. In one embodiment,moisture barrier layer 14 comprises at least one of the plurality ofouter core layers. In another embodiment, moisture barrier layer 14 is aseparate layer independent of the plurality of outer core layers.Moisture barrier layer 14 is selected to maintain the playingcharacteristics and initial velocity of golf ball 10 as the golf ballages. In one embodiment, moisture barrier layer 14 is selected to have amoisture vapor transmission rate that is less than a moisture vaportransmission rate of cover layer 15. This inhibits moisture fromentering into inner core 11 and outer core 13 and adversely affectingthe properties of those layers.

In general, moisture barrier layer 14 has a moisture vapor transmissionrate that is lower than that of the cover layer 15, and more preferablyless than the moisture vapor transmission rate of an ionomer resin,which is in the range of about 0.45 to about 0.95 gram-mm/m²-day. Themoisture vapor transmission rate is defined as the mass of moisturevapor that diffuses into a material of a given thickness per unit areaper unit time. The preferred standards of measuring the moisture vaportransmission rate include ASTM F1249-90 entitled “Standard Test Methodfor Water Vapor Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and SheetingUsing a Modulated Infrared Sensor,” and ASTM F372-99 entitled “StandardTest Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Flexible BarrierMaterials Using an Infrared Detection Technique,” among others.

In a particular embodiment, moisture barrier layer 14 includes a styreneblock co-polymer. Suitable styrene block co-polymers are available underthe tradename Kraton® from Kraton Polymers of Houston, Tex. In addition,moisture vapor barrier layer 14 also has micro particles disposedtherein. These particles are preferably hydrophobic and create a moretortuous path across moisture vapor barrier layer 14 to reduce themoisture transmission rate of layer 14. The micro particles may includenano particles, ceramic particles, flaked glass, and flaked metals(e.g., micaceous materials, iron oxide or aluminum). In one embodiment,moisture barrier layer 14 includes aluminum flake.

The constituents, formulations and thickness of moisture barrier layer14 are selected to provide the desired moisture transmission rate. Inone embodiment, moisture barrier layer 14 has a specific gravity of fromabout 1 to about 2. In another embodiment, moisture barrier layer 14 hasa specific gravity of about 1.13. The thickness of moisture barrierlayer 14 is less than about 0.03 inches. In one embodiment, thethickness of moisture barrier layer 14 is about 0.024 inches.

Preferred materials and constructions for moisture barrier layer 14 arefurther disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,632,147, 6,838,028,6,932,720, 7,004,854 and 7,182,702, and U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication Nos. 2003/0069082, 2003/0069085, 2003/0130062, 2004/0147344,2004/0185963, 2006/0068938, 2006/0128505 and 2007/0129172, the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

As previously mentioned, golf balls of the present invention have asingle or multi-layer cover. When a relatively soft cover layer isdesired, the material used to form the layer is preferably selected frompolyurethanes, polyureas, hybrid polyurethane-polyurea copolymers,partially- or fully-neutralized ionomeric copolymers and terpolymers,and blends of ionomers with polar group functionalized polyolefins. Whena polar group functionalized polyolefin is used, a preferred material isa maleic anhydride-modified metallocene-catalyzed polyolefin, such asthose disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,166, the entire disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments,golf ball of the present invention have a cover layer having a Shore Dhardness of 65 or less, or 60 or less, or a Shore D hardness of from 20to 65, or from 30 to 65. In an alternative embodiment, the presentinvention provides golf balls having an inner core, an outer core layer,a cover, and an optional moisture barrier layer, wherein the coverpreferably has a Shore D hardness of 65 or greater, or a Shore Dhardness of from 65 to 80, or from 66 to 78, or from 68 to 75, andwherein the cover is preferably formed from a material selected fromhigh acid ionomer-comprising compositions, rigid polyurethanes, rigidpolyureas, and blends and copolymers thereof. In another alternativeembodiment, the present invention provides golf balls having an innercore, an outer core layer, and a cover, wherein the outer core layerfunctions as a moisture barrier layer having a moisture vaportransmission rate less than that of the cover. Such an outer core layermay comprise a polybutadiene rubber, a highly filled polybutadienerubber (e.g., a polybutadiene rubber containing flake- or sheet-likeparticles as disclosed in the moisture barrier layer references givenabove) to provide a “tortuous path” barrier, a polybutadiene rubberhaving low or no ZDA (i.e., from 0 to 20 phr, preferably from 0 to 15phr, more preferably 0-10 phr), a trans polyisoprene, a transpolybutadiene rubber, an ethylene-propylene rubber (“EPR”), anethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber (“EPDM”), or other diene rubberthat provides a low rate of moisture transmission.

Inner and outer core layers of any embodiment disclosed herein may havea hardness gradient, i.e., a difference in hardness from the center ofthe inner core to the surface of the inner core and likewise from theinnermost surface of the outer core layer to the surface of the outercore layer. The gradient may be positive (increasing), negative(decreasing), or neutral. When a positive gradient is used, the centerof the inner core is the softest point and preferably has a hardness offrom about 40 to about 75 Shore C; the surface of the inner corepreferably has a hardness of from about 45 to about 78 Shore C; and theouter core layer preferably has a hardness of about 80 Shore C orgreater or from about 80 to about 95 Shore C. The magnitude of thegradient is calculated as the hardness of the outer core layer surfaceminus the center of the inner core and may be from about 5 to about 45Shore C, or from about 20 to about 45 Shore C, or from about 25 to about45 Shore C, and is preferably from about 8 to about 40 Shore C, or fromabout 15 to about 35 Shore C, or from about 18 to about 30 Shore C. Thesurface hardness of a core is measured once on each pole. The twomeasurements are averaged. To measure the center hardness, a core ispressed into a cavity that is approximately 0.010-0.020 inches smallerthan the core such that the core bottoms out in the cavity and fitssecurely. A rough cut of the exposed half is made slightly off centerusing a band saw or other appropriate cutting tool. The measurementsurface is finished to a smooth surface on a surface grinder such thatthe surface passes through the center of the core and is parallel to thebase of the cavity. The center is located with a center square, markedand the hardness measurement is taken with the core remaining in thecavity. Optionally, other spots can be located and measured to map outthe gradient profile. The hardness difference is calculated as theaverage surface hardness−center hardness.

In some embodiments, the arrangements and formulations of golf ball 10can be summarized according to Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Multi-Layer Moisture Barrier Property Inner Core Outer coreLayer Core Layer Cover Layer Hardness <outer core layer; >80 Shore C;— * <65 Shore D; (surface) <80 Shore C; >90 Shore C; <60 Shore D; about78 Shore C; ≧55 Shore D; 20-65 Shore D; <70; <60; <50; <40; <30; 55-80Shore D; 30-60 Shore D; <20 60-75 Shore D; 35, 40, 45, 50, or 63-72Shore D 55 Shore D; 65-80 Shore D; 66-78 Shore D; 68-75 Shore DCompression <70; <65; <50; 10-70; 80-100; 90; >50; >70; * — 20-60;25-45; 30-40 60-105; 70-100 80-100; 50-115 Specific Gravity 1-1.1; 1.05;<1.13; >specific gravity of inner — * 0.95-1.30; 0.90-1.13; >specificcore; 1.00-1.20; gravity of outer core; >1.1; 1.24; 1.25; 1.50;1.05-1.15 >1.2; >1.5; >1.75; >2; >5 2.00; 5.00; 10.00; 1.15; 1.75;<specific gravity of inner core; <1.2; <1.5; <1.75; <2; <5 Diameter1.4″-1.5″; 1.457″; 1.0″- ** >1.58″; 1.6″ * (diameter of ball) 1.62″;0.5″-1.62″; 0.6; >1.6″; 1.680-1.800; 0.7; 0.8; 0.9 1.52″-1.66″;1.680-1.720; 1.62; 1.64 1.680-1.690; 1.680-1.685 Thickness — 0.05″-0.1″;0.075″ — * 0.03″-0.04″; ** 0.035″; 0.010″-0.055″ 0.020; 0.080;0.010-0.080 COR 0.8-0.825; 0.812; 0.725- 0.824; 0.8-0.825; 0.8150.805-0.83 * 0.800-0.850; 0.825; 0.750-0.820; 0.801-0.830; 0.775-0.8150.805-0.825 MATERIAL CB23 100 pph 100 pph — — — TP301 — 8 pph — — — ZincDiacrylate >25 pph; 34 pph >35 pph; >40 pph; — — — 53 pphTrigonox ® >0.5 pph; 0.53 pph >0.6 pph; 0.66 pph — — — Filler/Zinc OxideSufficient to produce s.g. Sufficient to produce — — — s.g.; 5 pphBarytes Filler — To weight — — — Kraton FG — — — Per Formulation —Aluminum Flake — — — Per Formulation — Polyurea/Polyurethane — — — — PerFormulation * Properties, materials and constructions for the moisturebarrier layer are further disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,632,147,6,838,028, 6,932,720, 7,004,854 and 7,182,702, and U.S. PatentApplication Publication Nos. 2003/0069082, 2003/0069085, 2003/0130062,2004/0147344, 2004/0185963, 2006/0068938, 2006/0128505 and 2007/0129172,the entire disclosures of which have been incorporated herein byreference. ** See Table 2.

Table 2 below gives the diameter and thickness of various golf balllayers according to embodiments of the present invention wherein thegolf ball has an overall diameter of 1.68 inches and does not include anoptional moisture barrier layer. It should be understood that if amoisture barrier layer is to be included, one or more of the layers inTable 2 should be modified, i.e., reduced in diameter or thickness.

TABLE 2 Inner Core Outer Core Multi-Layer Cover Diameter Thickness CoreDiameter Thickness (inches) (inches) (inches) (inches) 0.50 0.570 1.640.020 1.00 0.320 1.64 0.020 1.25 0.195 1.64 0.020 1.40 0.120 1.64 0.0201.50 0.070 1.64 0.020 1.62 0.010 1.64 0.020 1.00 0.310 1.62 0.030 1.000.300 1.60 0.040 1.25 0.175 1.60 0.040 1.50 0.050 1.60 0.040 1.00 0.2601.52 0.080 1.50 0.010 1.52 0.080

Golf ball 10 can be constructed by any known method that is generallyknown and available in the art. Suitable methods include methods forformulating and mixing the constituents of the various layers of golfball 10. These methods also include methods for forming golf ball 10including compression molding, injection molding, casting, and reactioninjection molding. Examples of these methods can be found, for example,in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,547,677 and 6,852,044, the entire disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

When injection molding is used, the HNP composition is typically in apelletized or granulated form that can be easily fed into the throat ofan injection molding machine wherein it is melted and conveyed via ascrew in a heated barrel at temperatures of from 150° F. to 600° F.,preferably from 200° F. to 500° F. The molten HNP composition isultimately injected into a closed mold cavity, which may be cooled, atambient or at an elevated temperature, but typically the mold is cooledto a temperature of from 50° F. to 70° F. After residing in the closedmold for a time of from 1 second to 300 seconds, preferably from 20seconds to 120 seconds, the core and/or core plus one or more additionalcore or cover layers is removed from the mold and either allowed to coolat ambient or reduced temperatures or is placed in a cooling fluid suchas water, ice water, dry ice in a solvent, or the like.

When compression molding is used to form a center, the HNP compositionis first formed into a preform or slug of material, typically in acylindrical or roughly spherical shape at a weight slightly greater thanthe desired weight of the molded core. Prior to this step, the HNPcomposition may be first extruded or otherwise melted and forced througha die after which it is cut into a cylindrical preform. It is thatpreform that is then placed into a compression mold cavity andcompressed at a mold temperature of from 150° F. to 400° F., preferablyfrom 250° F. to 350° F., and more preferably from 260° F. to 295° F.When compression molding a core or cover layer of an HNP composition, ahalf-shell is first formed via injection molding and then a corecomprising one or more layers is enclosed within two half shells andthen compression molded in a similar manner to the process previouslydescribed.

All patents, publications, test procedures, and other references citedherein, including priority documents, are fully incorporated byreference to the extent such disclosure is not inconsistent with thisinvention and for all jurisdictions in which such incorporation ispermitted.

While the illustrative embodiments of the invention have been describedwith particularity, it will be understood that various othermodifications will be apparent to and can be readily made by those ofordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of theclaims appended hereto be limited to the examples and descriptions setforth herein, but rather that the claims be construed as encompassingall of the features of patentable novelty which reside in the presentinvention, including all features which would be treated as equivalentsthereof by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the inventionpertains.

1. A golf ball comprising: an inner core layer having a compression ofless than 50, a diameter of 1.00 inch or greater, a center hardness offrom 40 Shore C to 75 Shore C, a surface hardness of from 45 Shore C to78 Shore C, and a specific gravity of 1.11 or greater; a first outercore layer having a thickness of from 0.01 inches to 0.1 inches; asecond outer core layer having a thickness of from 0.01 inches to 0.1inches, a hardness of 80 Shore C or greater, and a specific gravity lessthan or equal to the specific gravity of the inner core layer; an innercover layer formed from a partially or fully neutralized ionomercomposition and having a thickness of from 0.015 inches to 0.100 inches;and an outer cover layer formed from a composition selected frompolyurethanes, polyureas, and blends and copolymers thereof, and havinga thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.080 inches; wherein the differencebetween the hardness of the second outer core layer and the centerhardness of the inner core layer is from 20 Shore C units to 45 Shore Cunits.
 2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the innercore layer is from 1.00 inch to 1.30 inches.
 3. The golf ball of claim1, wherein the specific gravity of the inner core layer is 1.20 orgreater.
 4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the second outer corelayer has a flex modulus of greater than 30,000 psi.
 5. The golf ball ofclaim 1, wherein the compression of the inner core layer is 40 or less.6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the difference between the hardnessof the second outer core layer and the center hardness of the inner corelayer is from 25 Shore C units to 45 Shore C units.
 7. The golf ball ofclaim 1, wherein the inner cover layer has a Shore D hardness of from 60to
 80. 8. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner cover layer has aShore D hardness of from 65 to
 75. 9. The golf ball of claim 1, whereinthe outer cover layer has a Shore D hardness of 60 or less.
 10. The golfball of claim 1, wherein the outer cover layer has a Shore D hardness ofless than
 60. 11. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the thickness of theouter cover layer is from 0.020 inches to 0.055 inches.